# SQL Spreads knowledge base

> Knowledge base documentation for SQL Spreads knowledge base.

## v1

- [Welcome to SQL Spreads Knowledge Base](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/welcome-to-sql-spreads-knowledge-base.md): Introduction to SQL Spreads, a data management tool that uses Excel as the front end for editing SQL Server data, with validation and change tracking.
- [Download and install](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/download-and-install.md): How to download and install SQL Spreads
- [Connect to your database](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/connect-to-sql-server.md): Connect Excel to SQL Server using the SQL Spreads Designer. Covers server name formats for local, Express, corporate network and remote instances.
- [Start editing your data](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/start-editing-your-data.md): Select a SQL Server table in the SQL Spreads Designer, edit the data directly in Excel, and save your changes back to the database.
- [Video Library](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/video-library.md): Video guides for SQL Spreads, from a one-minute introduction through to getting started, training and use case walkthroughs.
- [How to Update, Insert and Delete data](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/how-to-update-insert-and-delete-data.md): Learn how you can use the SQL Spreads Excel add-in to insert, update and delete data in your SQL Server database table for non-technical users.
- [Saving and Refreshing to and from the database](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/saving-and-refreshing-to-and-from-the-database.md): Save your Excel changes to SQL Server and refresh Excel with the latest data. Documents also refresh automatically each time they are opened.
- [Automatic Data Validation](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/automatic-data-validation.md): Every entry is validated against the SQL Server column data type as it is typed, so invalid values are rejected before they reach the database.
- [Intro to the SQL Spreads Designer](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/intro-to-the-sql-spreads-designer.md): Find out how the SQL Spreads Designer uses the Design Mode to create a SQL Spreads sheet in Excel and how your end user consumes the sheet in Editor Mode.
- [SQL Spreads Security](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/sql-spreads-security.md): SQL Spreads runs on your users' desktops and works directly with your own servers or Azure SQL. No customer data is stored outside your infrastructure.
- [Selecting your Table or View](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/selecting-a-table-or-view.md): Load a SQL Server table or view into Excel from the Database tab, and use separate worksheets to work with several tables in one document.
- [Setting up your columns](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/selecting-columns.md): Use the Columns tab to control how SQL Server columns appear in Excel. Changes affect only the Excel view, not the table structure in SQL Server.
- [Filtering rows from SQL Server](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/filtering-rows-from-sql-server.md): Use Designer filters to decide which SQL Server rows load into Excel, with column filters for quick conditions and custom SQL filters for the rest.
- [Sorting rows from SQL Server](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/sorting-rows-from-sql-server.md): Sort the rows loaded into Excel by choosing columns in the Sort tab, reordering them by drag and drop, and removing a sort with the trash icon.
- [Create a Tree filter](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/tree-filters-a-way-for-end-users-to-select-the-data.md): Build data-driven Tree Filters so end users can choose which SQL Server rows load into Excel. Available in SQL Spreads Pro and above.
- [Create multi-select Tree filters](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/multi-select-tree-filters-with-checkboxes.md): Let end users tick several Tree Filter items at once to load a combined selection of rows. Available in SQL Spreads Pro and above.
- [Create hierarchical Tree filters](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/hierarchical-tree-filters.md): Build multi-level Tree Filters so end users drill through a hierarchy to pick the rows they load. Available in SQL Spreads Premium and above.
- [Hide a filtered column from the spreadsheet](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/hide-the-filtered-column.md): Hide the database columns used by a Tree or cell filter from the Excel table. Values are still filled in from the filter selection.
- [Adding Row-wise User access to a Tree filter](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/tree-filters-adding-row-wise-user-access.md): Restrict which rows each user can see by pairing a Tree Filter with a user access table in SQL Server, maintained in Excel by non-technical staff.
- [Lookup key columns and replace with texts](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/replace-key-values-with-texts.md): Learn to look up key values in another table and show a dropdown of readable text instead of key values in your SQL Server table.
- [Add Excel formulas to your table](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/add-excel-formulas-to-your-table.md): Use an Excel formula in a column so the calculated result is saved back to SQL Server, such as a Total that sums other columns.
- [Tracking changes](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/track-changes.md): Use SQL Spreads Change Tracking to see who changed what and when in your database rows. Gain more control over your SQL Server data updates.
- [Pivoting data between Excel and SQL Server](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/pivoting-data-between-excel-and-sql-server.md): Pivot SQL Server rows into Excel columns and save them back unpivoted into multiple rows. Available in SQL Spreads Premium and above.
- [ Restrict Updates, Inserts or  Deletes](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/designer-settings.md): Use Designer Settings to control whether users can insert, update or delete rows, set per SQL Server table loaded into Excel.
- [Fine tuning the Excel Table setup](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/excel-table-formatting.md): How SQL Spreads keeps Excel table formatting such as colors and conditional formatting, and the cases where the table is rebuilt and formatting is lost.
- [Fine tuning the document setup](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/document-settings.md): Document Settings control the whole SQL Spreads Excel document, including whether imported data refreshes automatically when the file is opened.
- [Intro to Data Processing](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/introduction-to-data-processing.md): Overview of the Data Processing scripts that run before loading, after saving, or on demand. Requires SQL Spreads Pro or higher.
- [Pre-load Data Processing Script](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/pre-processing.md): Run a SQL query just before data loads, triggered by a Tree Filter selection or Refresh, for example to pre-fill a forecast the user then edits.
- [User-executed Data Processing Scripts](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/user-executed-data-processing-scripts.md): Add a button to the SQL Spreads ribbon that runs a SQL query of your own when an end user clicks it.
- [Post-Save Data Processing Scripts](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/post-save-data-processing-scripts.md): Run a SQL query as the last step of the transaction that saves to SQL Server, for cleaning, copying or validating the data just written.
- [Post processing of data saved to SQL Server](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/data-post-processing.md): Run a script after data is saved to SQL Server to clean, copy or validate it. Applies to SQL Spreads 7.5 and earlier; see Data Processing for 7.6+.
- [Using SQL Spreads with VBA](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/sql-spreads-vba-interface.md): Refresh and save data between Excel and SQL Server from VBA, and run your own code after a refresh. Available in SQL Spreads Premium and above.
- [Sharing SQL Spreads Excel documents](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/sharing-a-sql-spreads-excel-document.md): Share a SQL Spreads document like any Excel file, by email, shared drive or SharePoint. Recipients need the add-in and an activated license.
- [Changing the underlaying SQL Server table](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/making-changes-to-the-underlaying-sql-server-tables.md): How SQL Spreads detects columns added, removed or changed in the underlying SQL Server table, and how to make it pick those changes up.
- [Switching to another server, database or table](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/moving-a-document-between-servers-databases-and-tables.md): Point an existing SQL Spreads document at a different server, database or table, so you can build against test and deploy to production.
- [Intro to the SQL Server Tools feature](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/intro-to-the-sql-server-tools-feature.md): Create SQL Server tables, and add, modify or delete columns, from inside Excel. Brings part of SQL Server Management Studio into the add-in.
- [New SQL Server table from Excel](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/new-sql-server-table-from-excel.md): Create a SQL Server table from data in an Excel table in a few clicks, with the option to set the exact data type on each column.
- [Modify SQL Server table columns](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/modify-sql-server-table-columns.md): Change the columns of an existing SQL Server table from inside Excel, including renaming a column and changing its properties.
- [Copy SQL Server table](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/copy-sql-server-table.md): Copy a SQL Server table to another database from inside Excel, either the table structure on its own or the structure together with its data.
- [What's new - release log](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/whats-new-release-log.md): Release notes for SQL Spreads, listing new features, changes and fixed issues in each version.
- [Installing SQL Spreads](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/installing-sql-spreads.md): Follow this step-by-step guide to install the SQL Spreads Excel add-in, check prerequisites, and start updating your SQL Server database.
- [Enter your license](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/how-to-activate-your-license.md): A step by step guide to help you enter and activate your SQL Spreads license key to be able to update your SQL Server database from within Excel.
- [Transfer a license](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/transfer-a-license.md): Move a SQL Spreads license to another user or machine by releasing it from the About dialog, including what to do if the old machine is unreachable.
- [Upgrading SQL Spreads to a newer version](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/upgrading-sql-spreads-to-a-newer-version.md): Upgrade SQL Spreads by running the latest installer over your existing installation. Needs a valid support plan and the link from your delivery email.
- [Lock down the Design mode for end-users](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/understanding-designer-and-data-editor-mode.md): Run users in the Data Editor role so they can edit SQL Server data but not change the table setup. Explains the Designer and Data Editor split.
- [Corporate deployment of SQL Spreads](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/corporate-deployment-of-sql-spreads.md): Deploy SQL Spreads across an organization with the MSI installer and a packaged distribution, using a common license key from the License Manager.
- [The License Manager web app](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/license-manager-add-on.md): The SQL Spreads License Manager service add-on helps simplify the management of your SQL Spreads licenses using a web portal and a common license key.
- [Technical requirements](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/technical-requirements.md): System requirements for SQL Spreads: Windows 11 or 10, desktop Excel from 2010 to Microsoft 365, and support for Remote Desktop Services and Citrix.
- [Supported databases](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/supported-databases.md): See which databases SQL Spreads supports for using Excel to update data in SQL Server, Azure SQL, PostgreSQL, Snowflake, Databricks and Fabric.
- [How to Add a Totals Row to an Excel Table Refreshed from SQL Server](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/adding-a-totals-row-to-the-excel-table.md): Add a totals row above the Excel table rather than below it, because SQL Spreads clears everything below the table when data is refreshed.
- [How to Add Calculation Columns to Excel Tables](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/add-excel-formulas-in-columns-that-are-not-saved-to-the-database.md): Add calculated columns that are not saved to the database, placed to the right of the last database column, and when they get removed.
- [Add versioning to an Excel document](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/add-versioning-to-the-excel-document.md): Stop users saving from an outdated file by adding a version check against a DocumentVersions table in SQL Server.
- [Create SQL Server tables from within Excel](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/create-sql-server-tables-from-within-excel.md): Create your SQL Server tables using the SQL Spreads Excel add-in by preparing your Excel data, selecting your database and fine tuning your data types.
- [Financial forecasting in a Business Intelligence project](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/demo-financial-forecasting-in-a-business-intelligence-project.md): Watch this video on how to enter forecasting data into Excel using the SQL Spreads add-in to update your SQL Server database.
- [Matched import - a ready to use demo solution](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/matched-import-a-ready-to-use-demo-solution.md): A downloadable Excel demo that updates matched rows in a large SQL Server table from a list, with duplicate detection and color-coded results.
- [Matched import - a high performance SQL solution](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/matched-import-a-high-performance-sql-solution.md): A SQL-based matched import for larger datasets, importing 500 rows into a 10,000-row table in under half a second, with duplicate prevention.
- [Dependent Drop Downs](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/dependent-drop-downs.md): Set up cascading drop-down lists so a choice in one column filters the options in the next. Requires SQL Spreads 7.5 or higher.
- [Intro to the Advanced Setup](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/intro-to-the-advanced-setup.md): The Advanced Setup is in retirement and needs solid SQL and Excel knowledge. New features go to the SQL Spreads Designer instead.
- [Manually setup an Import of data from SQL Server to Excel](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/manually-setup-an-import-of-data-from-sql-server-to-excel.md): Create a Database Import by hand to load SQL Server data into Excel, using the Advanced Setup rather than the SQL Spreads Designer.
- [Manually setup a mapping of Excel columns to fields in a SQL Server table](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/manually-setup-a-mapping-of-excel-columns-to-fields-in-a-sql-server-table.md): Create a Database Mapping by hand to export Excel columns to SQL Server fields. A Database Import is still needed to load the data in.
- [Create drop-down lists from the Advanced Setup](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/how-to-create-drop-down-lists-that-show-texts-from-another-table.md): Build drop-down lists that show text from a lookup table while saving the key value. From version 6.0 the Designer does this more easily.
- [Implementation FAQ](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/implementation-faq.md): Common setup questions, including using a SQL Server View for a custom query and how SQL Spreads picks up columns added or removed from a table.
- [Troubleshooting FAQ](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/troubleshooting-faq.md): Fixes for common problems, including the SQL Spreads add-in not appearing in Excel and how to repair the installation.
- [Purchase FAQ](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/purchase-faq.md): Answers on buying SQL Spreads: the free 14-day trial, price quotes, and the 30-day money-back guarantee after purchase.
- [ Contact SQL Spreads](https://sqlspreads.com/docs/contact-sql-spreads-support.md): Contact SQL Spreads for support, trial help, sales queries, or pricing info—whether you're a customer or exploring the tool.